Turkey meet, Syrian operative, Pak handlers: NIA maps global terror network behind Delhi blast

Delhi blast

Investigators probing the November 10 Delhi car blast are uncovering a complex web of international links, radicalisation, and overseas meetings involving the alleged suicide bomber, Dr Umar un Nabi, and several other accused.

According to a report by TOI, Umar, along with Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai and Dr Muzzafar Rather, had travelled to Turkey in 2022, where they met a Syrian terror operative, which is believed to have taken place on the directions of their Pakistan-based handler, Ukasha.

While agencies are still trying to find what was discussed in that meeting, investigators believe it may have played a key role in shaping the terror plot that later unfolded in Delhi.

Muzammil, who was arrested by NIA Thursday with three other accused, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay, is expected to be interrogated by NIA to take forward the probe into international linkages of the conspiracy.

Turkey visit and missed meeting with Pakistani handler

According to intelligence inputs, the three doctors stayed in Turkey for nearly 20 days. Their original plan was to meet Ukasha, who is believed to operate along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. But the meeting never happened. Instead, Ukasha allegedly told them to meet a Syrian national, who acted as his representative.

According to the investigators, Muzaffar travelled to Afghanistan via the UAE after Turkey and is believed to have joined al-Qaida. Umar also wanted to go to Afghanistan but was instructed by Ukasha to return to India for what he reportedly described as “bigger plans” of the Jaish-e-Mohammed. Umar followed the instruction.

Soon after he came back, he joined Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where he allegedly set up a terror module and began gathering explosives for future attacks.

Telegram instructions and radicalisation material

According to the report, Umar, Muzammil and Adeel were in constant touch with three Pakistan-based handlers, Faisal, Hashim and Ukasha, through Telegram. These handlers allegedly sent them instructions, radical content and even bomb-making videos.

NIA said on Thursday that the three doctors arrested and Shopian cleric Mufti Irfan were part of a wider conspiracy and were preparing for multiple coordinated strikes. Their arrests have given investigators more clarity on the organisational structure, foreign connections and the role of overseas handlers.

Before Thursday’s arrests, the NIA had already detained Amir Rashid Ali, a plumber from Pampore, and Jasir Bilal Wani from Qazigund. Amir helped buy the vehicle used in the Delhi blast and was aware of Umar’s suicide plan.

Investigators say Umar visited Pampore a week before the purchase, arranged money and travelled back to Haryana with Amir. Amir stayed with him for nearly a week, bought the car in his name and returned to Kashmir just days before the explosion.

Meanwhile, Jasir is accused of providing technical support for terror strikes by trying to convert drones into rocket-like weapons. All the accused were initially held by the Jammu & Kashmir Police, whose investigation began with the discovery of Jaish posters in Nowgam.